Mainers and visitors embrace end of summer: ‘It’s bittersweet’
Maine’s Summer Slips Into Autumn as Locals and Visitors Catch the Last Rays
PORTLAND – With a high of 71°F and the harbor still thrumming with cruise‑ship traffic, a Sunday in early September feels like the tail end of a long, sun‑soaked season. In the Old Port, vendors in shorts and tank tops mingle with tourists clutching light jackets, while across town, people in South Portland’s Willard Beach are making the most of the warm days before the first autumn breeze hits.
“It’s bittersweet, you know? When summer hits, it brings these traditions, like barbecues, bonfires, picnics, camping trips. So when Labor Day comes, it’s like, ‘Well, is this the end of the bonfires?’” Long‑Island resident and greeting‑card entrepreneur Chomba Kaluba told the paper. The 42‑year‑old, who runs the small business Hatua, has been setting up a pop‑up stall in the Old Port each summer weekend to sell Maine‑themed cards. This Sunday he displayed a set of lighthouse‑themed designs, complete with a paper “Portland Head Light” that seemed to capture the salty spray and golden light of the harbor. Kaluba added that “one of the reasons why I love being in Maine is because it’s a place where we embrace the seasons,” though he admits he will miss the long summer days and hopes to spend as much time on the water as possible before the cold sets in.
In South Portland, the sun is still bright enough to make the sand at Willard Beach a popular spot for sun‑bathers and swimmers. Ashley Jenkins of Pennsylvania and Alayna Davison of New York, both visiting for the last weekend before Labor Day, relaxed on a blanket while Davison noted, “Being in the sun makes everything feel a little lighter.” The pair plan to make the visit a yearly tradition, swapping their summer lagers for pumpkin‑infused beers as the season turns.
Portland resident Katie Stevenson spent most of the day at Willard, swimming laps in the morning before returning with friends from Washington. “I’ll definitely keep being in the water, whether I’m swimming or just dipping and just sort of getting in and standing around in the water,” she said. She and her partner, Matt Liskom, have been using the book Good Night Maine by Adam Gamble as a bucket‑list guide. While they haven’t yet seen a moose or lumberjack on a country road, they did spot loons and sampled tiny blueberries on a recent canoe trip. The couple plan to fit in a few more paddle‑boarding sessions and “plant garlic” before the cooler weather arrives.
A pair of travelers from Montana—Jonah Nita and Madison Jones—were among the last to make the most of the day’s warmth. Nita, who says he’s more grateful for places that have distinct seasons, added, “Anytime I could be in the water, I want to be in the water, so as late in the season as I’m able to.” Jones, who prefers the beach, echoed Nita’s sentiment: “It’s like, why would you ever complain about a sunny day?” The two are still deciding whether to head back to Montana or stay in Maine for the last vestiges of summer.
The scene in both towns reflects a common sentiment: while the end of summer feels inevitable, people are intent on savoring the remaining sunshine. Cruise ships continue to dock in the harbor, and the Old Port remains a bustling hub for tourists and locals alike. Willard Beach, with its wide stretches of sand and accessible waters, has become a focal point for last‑minute swimming and paddle‑boarding.
As the equinox approaches, many residents plan to transition from shorts and shorts to light jackets and sweaters. “The cooling weather is a little sad, but it also means the start of an exciting New England fall,” Stevenson said. Local residents have begun preparing their bikes for leaf‑peeping and gathering garlic for winter harvest. The collective mood is one of bittersweet appreciation for the season that has just ended, and a hopeful anticipation for what the cooler months will bring.
